How to Do a Business Entity Search in Montana and Name Your LLC
Launching an LLC in Montana starts with picking a name that’s memorable, easy to spell, and uniquely yours—and making sure it’s not already taken. This guide walks you through Montana’s naming rules, explains how to search the Secretary of State’s business database with the right filters, and shows you how to review your results for similar names. You’ll also learn how to reserve your chosen name for 120 days, file a DBA if you want a separate trade name, and take steps to protect your brand with domain registration or a trademark. With Montana’s low filing fees and user‐friendly processes, securing your LLC’s or corporation’s identity is simple and affordable.
Do you want to start an LLC in Montana? The process is easier than you think. We can help you follow all the correct steps, so your business has the protection you need.
Choosing a name is one of the most important steps and is one of the Montana LLC requirements. Your business name is the first thing your customers will see and will help define your identity. The right name can bring people in, while the wrong name can turn people away. You want a name that is:
- easy to remember
- easy to spell and type
- relevant to your business goals
- and easy to pronounce.
You do NOT want a name that is too similar to other names or that contains words that may be censored.
Once you have some ideas, you can see how to create the name officially. There are rules you need to follow when choosing a name for an LLC in Montana, and we can help you secure the name that works best for you.
Why do you need to do a business entity search when starting an LLC?
First, you need to make sure your name isn’t already taken. You will have to do a business entity search in the state where you intend to register your business. Don’t forget that your LLC name doesn’t necessarily have to match your regular business name.
Why does the name of my business need to be unique?
Even if there were no rules regarding business names, you would want to have a unique name to make sure that your customers can recognize your brand. You don’t want people to confuse your business with a different one.
Legally, having the same name as another business could lead to confusion in legal matters or even trademark infringement. You don’t want your name to be misleading, either.
Where are you registering your business?
In what state should you register your business? If you plan to do business in several states, your choice may be based on taxes, state resources, or even personal preference. You can register your business in the state where you live, or you can choose the state where you spend more time.
State naming guidelines
According to Montana law, the name of your business is specified in your articles of organization. Because you are choosing a Limited Liability Corporation, the name must contain one of these words or phrases:
- limited liability company
- limited company
- l.l.c.
- l.c.
- llc
- or lc.
The word limited may be abbreviated in your business name as “ltd.” and company may be abbreviated as “co.”
Your LLC name must also not contain language that sounds as though it is a different kind of business.
Conducting a business name search in Montana – a step-by-step guide with tips
Searching business names in Montana
If you are registering your business in Montana, you should use the state’s database. Even though it is a state database, you will also get results from other states. States interact with each other so much that it is important to pay attention to results in other states also.
Montana’s database
The Montana Secretary of State maintains a website where you can search business names. You can use all the resources on the website for free, including the free forms for important tasks like registering your assumed business name and articles of incorporation for both domestic and foreign limited liability companies.
Search options
If you use a simple search, you can search by name or filing number. The state website also allows you to narrow your search by:
- registration date
- expiration date
- status
- entity type
- and entity subtype.
You can also check a box so the search engine knows that you are searching for a PID (personal identification number).
Filters and search tips
All of these choices will filter the answers for you. However, using too many filters can narrow your results too much. You can miss what you’re looking for when you narrow your search too much. If there is an inputting error, such as a misspelling or wrong date, it might make it difficult to find what you are looking for.
On the other hand, if you don’t use filters as needed, your search will be too broad. Having too many answers can be worse than having too narrow a search. Common words can get so many hits that your search results are irrelevant. This is also a good argument for choosing a unique name.
Review your results
Look at your results. Are there names that are too similar? Are your search results relevant?
Assumed business names/DBA (doing business as)/fictitious names
Again, your LLC name might not be the same as the name on your business cards and website. A business is an entity, like a person, and the assumed business name is any name besides the full, true, and correct name of a person. A “person” in Montana can be anything from an LLC to a partnership to a corporation.
The LLC name may be more formal, and you can register the name you’re “doing business as” to make it official. The form is free on the state website but filing costs $20.
Costs/Fees
How much is this going to cost you? In Montana, the charge for filing articles of organization is only $70. The state of Montana is friendly to small businesses so they provide support and keep costs low.
What can you do once you have an available name?
Once you have chosen an available name, you need to think about protecting it. Here are 3 ways you may choose to save the name you want:
- Montana allows you to pay a $10 fee and reserve your business name for up to 120 days.
- You may want to trademark your business name if it is especially unique and you operate in more than one state. This can be especially important if your business becomes very successful because a trademark offers a higher level of protection.
- You can register the domain you want online. There are a lot of companies that register domains, with different kinds and levels of support. Some of them will even provide services like website building and e-commerce hosting. The least expensive option may not be the best for you.
Conclusion
Choosing the name is just one of the important steps to creating your LLC. Tailor Brands can help you with every step of the process, including filing articles of organization and choosing a registered agent who can send and receive legal paperwork on behalf of your business. Tailor Brands can also assist with permits, taxes, and registering a trademark. Please feel free to check out our services online or call today.
FAQ
Montana Secretary of State website makes it easy to check your proposed business name.
In Montana, reserving an LLC name costs $10 and holds the name for up to 120 days.
Yes. When you file an Assumed Business Name (“DBA”) in Montana, you register it as an alias of your existing LLC. On the $20 filing form you’ll submit to the Secretary of State, you list your LLC’s legal name and registration number, then state the fictitious name you want to use. Once approved, that DBA is officially tied to your LLC.
Montana LLC names must include a designator like “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” be distinguishable from existing entities, and avoid restricted or misleading terms (such as “bank” without approval or government‐sounding names). You cannot use corporate designators like “Inc.” or “Corp.,” and any name requiring special licensing (e.g. “insurance,” “engineer”) needs additional agency consent.
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